Global Volunteers Blog

Real life global volunteering stories about volunteering abroad, volunteering internationally, notes from the field, lifelong friendships, reflections, and tales of how each person makes a world of difference.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Working hand-in-hand with local people, you can build a better future for children living in poverty.

Our newest partner in development is in St. Lucia, West Indies. The reality is that while St. Lucia is popularly promoted as a sunny Caribbean tourist haven with few worries, St. Lucia’s children have much to be worried about. Due to insufficient child nutrition, infectious disease and significant poverty, their idyllic island has one of the lowest average IQs in the measured world. That’s why you’re needed there.

You can become part of one of the most important development efforts in Global Volunteers’ 28-year history. Central to our effort is offering comprehensive services in 12 areas – the “Essential Services” for a community’s development.
In St. Lucia, West Indies, children struggle with the lowest IQs in the Western Hemisphere. Global Volunteers has launched an unprecedented program to assist our new host community of Anse la Reye, St. Lucia, to dramatically raise the IQ of their children by providing all 12 Essential Services …and thereby change the trajectory of the island’s future.

This is an exceptional “working vacation.” Take in the vast West Indies cultural and natural offerings – alluring ocean landscapes, exciting watersports, colorful craft markets, inviting local cusine, engaging music and dance -- and all the while, contribute to a ground-breaking project demonstrating the catalytic power of volunteers to improve health, nutrition and IQ. Read about the Essential Services—the foundation of this project.
Our first teams to serve in Anse la Raye, St. Lucia are scheduled for January, March, September and November, 2012. Join us and leave your mark on world. And St. Lucia, in turn, will leave its mark on you. Call today (800-487-1074). Apply here.

Monday, August 01, 2011

Almost ten years ago, I served on a team in India. I had just turned 18, barely graduated from high school, and headed overseas without a clue as to what I was doing. I still remember the day I heard about Global Volunteers on a morning talk show, and by that afternoon, I had decided on India simply by pointing to a spot on a globe and saying "that's the one."

We were at the orphanage on 9/11. Since that time, I've earned a Master's degree in international relations and humanitarian development; served long-term in Thailand, Cambodia, Kenya and Uganda; and conducted significant research into the issues of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. I now coordinate a social business program that empowers others to solve world issues through enterprise and microfinace projects.

My point in telling you all this is for you to know the ripple effect your work and organization has had on the world. When people ask how I've done so much at a young age, it always comes back to Global Volunteers. The spark was lit when I touched down in India, and has been burning brightly ever since. Thanks so much for what you've done for those who serve, and for those who are being served.-Kara Brown

Thursday, July 14, 2011

A new service opportunity in Greece enables volunteers to befriend, exercise and play with, and work with adults with disabilities at a breezy mountaintop day activity center. The following post is excerpted from an article in The Coastal Journal by Annee Tara. Read the entire story here.

My recent volunteer vacation in Crete was my second trip with Global Volunteers. This organization has been in this business for more than a quarter of a century and has projects all over the world. The first thing they tell you when you agree to serve on a Global Volunteer project is to be flexible. A few days before my departure date, I got an email from Samantha (Sam), the country manager for Greece. She wrote that (because of a teachers strike), instead of teaching English in the local primary school, we would be working at a center for youth and adults with disabilities on crafts projects that they use for fundraising. I'd say I was disappointed, but I was somewhat relieved. I don't know anything about working with people with disabilities, but I figured I at least couldn’t be held responsible for not having prepared!

The Center is nominally supported by the municipality; but times are tough in Greece, and it is clear that St. Spiro's is funded by a fragile patchwork of sources. This includes crafts that are made by the staff, some of the participants and volunteers, and sold locally. Prior to our stay, the Center received an order for 500 icons to be attached to candles for an upcoming baptism. Only three or four of the participants were capable of helping with this project, so my sub-team was assigned to the task. We were shown how to do the work by a couple of the participants.

We had been at St. Spiro's for only two weeks, but in that time we learned many things. From the participants I learned that these are people who truly live in the moment; they seem to enjoy doing new things with new people, without judgment. From our teammates I learned that each one brought a special history to the group - from the sheetmetal worker who was the favorite among the participants, for just being who he is; to the 85-year-old woman who was on her twelfth Global Volunteers trip - a role model for us all. About myself, I learned I could really enjoy a relationship with people who don't know anything about me, but accept me for who I am - as I came to accept them for who they are.-Annee Tara

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Montana Team 78 has fulfilled a wide variety of work requests this week...culminating today with meal preparation and serving at the Blackfeet Tribe's annual staff appreciation day outside Browning. Six more teams follow this summer. It's not too late to join us for a week of meaningful service in the foothills of the Rockies in Northern Montana!

Leave Your Mark on the World!

About Us

Global Volunteers is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian, non-governmental organization engaging short-term volunteers on long-term comprehensive development programs in close partnership with local people worldwide. Working at the invitation and under the direction of local leaders, volunteers help create a foundation for world peace through mutual international understanding. Our purpose is to maintain a genuine, sustained service partnership with the host community, and provide volunteers a genuine opportunity to serve. Learn more about us here: Global Volunteers